KBC Bank to permanently close all but one of its branches in Ireland today

KBC Bank in Swords which is one of the branches to close permanently today. Photo: Mark Condern

KBC Bank in Swords, which is one of their branches to close permanently. Photo: Mark Condren

thumbnail: KBC Bank in Swords which is one of the branches to close permanently today. Photo: Mark Condern
thumbnail: KBC Bank in Swords, which is one of their branches to close permanently. Photo: Mark Condren
Charlie Weston

THE shutters are to come down on most KBC branches today as the bank winds down its Irish operations ahead of its exit from this market.

There are 11 hubs, or branches, in Galway, Limerick, Cork, Waterford, Kildare and Dublin, that will close at 5pm on Friday, six months after notice was given that were to shut.

Just one, at Grand Canal in Dublin, will remain open until August 31.

The closures will result in 75 people losing their jobs.

The hubs closing permanently are in Limerick, Galway, Lapps Quay Cork, Wilton Shopping Centre Cork, Waterford, Maynooth, Main Street Swords, Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, College Green Dublin, Baggot Street Dublin and Stillorgan in Dublin.

KBC said it will continue to support and service customers through its contact centre as it progresses through its wind-down plan over the next number of months.

Last month KBC completed the sale of the bulk of its assets to Bank of Ireland, including €7.8bn of loans and €1.8bn of deposits.

The development meant the legal ownership of accounts has already moved to Bank of Ireland and since then the transfer of day-to-day servicing of 150,000 customers has also been completed.

KBC Bank in Swords, which is one of their branches to close permanently. Photo: Mark Condren

A number of KBC staff are transferring to Bank of Ireland as part of the deal.

However, the KBC hubs were not included in the transaction and will close.

Chief executive of KBC Bank Ireland Frank Jansen said: “I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all departing KBC Bank Ireland Hub employees who, over the past 10 years, have provided exemplary service to our customers in communities around Ireland.”

At the start of the current account closure process last May, KBC estimated that 52,000 of the 130,000 total number of KBC current account holders would need to open a new account or move to a new provider.

It said that today, that figure is down 61pc to around 20,000.

KBC said: “We continue to work with and support customers as they move their accounts, ensuring they have all the information they need, understand the actions they are required to take, and the timelines associated with those actions.”

The bank advised customers that if they are having difficulty moving their current account, that KBC may be able to extend their notice.

“If customers are having difficulties or require additional support to move their accounts, they should contact KBC’s dedicated Care Team who can support vulnerable customers through the current account closure process.”

Its customer service team is on 1800 93 92 44, Monday to Friday, from 8am to 8pm and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays.